Larry Swayne, a Washington, D.C. native, has made a significant mark on the food industry by transforming his beloved Wingzza Mambo Sauce from a food truck favorite into a successful product now being sold in more than 500 Food Lion grocery stores. What began as a passion for sharing his unique take on mambo sauce with food truck customers has now blossomed into an inspiring entrepreneurial journey, highlighting his contribution to African American business success.
Known for his award-winning sauces featured on food networks and cooking channels, Swayne quickly realized that his version of the iconic D.C. mambo sauce was becoming a hit in North Carolina. “People loved it so much, they wanted to take extra bottles home and were willing to pay for more. We always made sure to be generous,” he recalled. His customer’s enthusiasm pushed him to turn the popular sauce into a product available online.Describing the sauce, Swayne said, “It’s sweet, sticky, and red, with a little tang and a bit of a kick. It pairs perfectly with anything fried.” As a small, independent brand, he relied heavily on word of mouth, which eventually led to a major breakthrough when Food Lion took notice.
According to Q City Metro, Swayne’s dream came true when he received a call from Food Lion informing him that his Wingzza Mambo Sauce would be sold in 534 of their stores across North Carolina. “It was surreal to see my product go from my kitchen, to the food truck, to store shelves,” he said. His success serves as a testament to the power of hard work, and his desire to create generational wealth for his family is evident.
Swayne envisions his grandchildren and great-grandchildren carrying on the legacy he’s building today. “I hope 100 years from now, my descendants will look back and say, ‘My granddad started this company and took it to the next level,’” he shared. In addition to the success with Food Lion, Swayne is grateful for the distribution opportunities with UNFI and U.S. Foods Chef’Store, further expanding the reach of his signature Wingzza Mambo Sauce.